Quote of the Day: GOP Rep. Says Party Too Willing to Accommodate its Most Extreme Members

Wanted to make sure you all saw this quote from Republican Rep. Richard Hanna, which perfectly sums up the state of play on Capitol Hill right now, as Republicans refuse to work with Democrats to pass middle class tax relief—even though both sides agree on the need for it and the Senate has already passed a bill.

“U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna took his own party to task today, saying the Republican Party is too willing to accommodate its most extreme members.”

“‘I have to say that I’m frustrated by how much we — I mean the Republican Party — are willing to give deferential treatment to our extremes in this moment in history,’ he told The Post-Standard editorial board.”

“‘We render ourselves incapable of governing when all we do is take severe sides...’ he said. ‘If all people do is go down there and join a team, and the team is invested in winning and you have something that looks very similar to the shirts and the skins, there’s not a lot of value there.’”

“While he blamed the dysfunction on both sides, he said he feels more bitterness coming from the Republican caucus than from the Democrats.”

“‘I would say that the friends I have in the Democratic Party I find ... much more congenial — a little less anger,’ he said.